If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are getting a little ahead of the curve, Wally.
They have produced a small "proof of concept" device that has produced measurable positive results.

The idea is that somebody sitting in the front seat of their car, can beat on the dashboard with a hammer to generate enough force to propel it forward.
Speaking of which, from what I have seen/read, researchers do not currently possess a device large enough to power even a car, let alone a space craft.
To answer your question I'd guesstimate, if all goes well, something on the order of decades before we see any spacecraft propulsion applications.

That's too bad, I was wondering how it would compare to an ion drive in propelling a micro probe, like something less than 10 pounds. While the acceleration may be small give enough time it can really add up.

A paper has been leaked with early testing results, and more new regarding the launch of a test vehicle in the near future. I noted that someone pointed out that after ~1000 days of continuous operation this drive would be propelling a 1KG mass at 0.35C (~1/3 the speed of light.) This places interstellar exploration of nearby star systems well within reach, and within a rough time-frame comparable to current long-distance probes.

A paper has been leaked with early testing results, and more new regarding the launch of a test vehicle in the near future. I noted that someone pointed out that after ~1000 days of continuous operation this drive would be propelling a 1KG mass at 0.35C (~1/3 the speed of light.) This places interstellar exploration of nearby star systems well within reach, and within a rough time-frame comparable to current long-distance probes.

So a few hopeful researchers are resorting to CUBESAT, a private company that launces shoebox sized payloads for anyone that can pay. That suggests the EM Drive to be tested will be very small. But with luck able to prove proof of concept in a zero G environment.

I think it is Earthman, a member here at TOP Forum, that has a UFO spotter device as payload scheduled with the Same company in 2017?

Anyway, too bad NASA, or some large academic entity with the financial resources is not involved to make a more concerted effort at legitimizing the project.

While it does sound promising, guess it is still considered fringe science until a few peer reviews are published (the one in this article appears to be among the first, hopefully many more positive reviews to come) eliminating more mundane explanations for the results.

The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but
progress. -- Joseph JoubertAttachment 1008

A paper has been leaked with early testing results, and more new regarding the launch of a test vehicle in the near future. I noted that someone pointed out that after ~1000 days of continuous operation this drive would be propelling a 1KG mass at 0.35C (~1/3 the speed of light.) This places interstellar exploration of nearby star systems well within reach, and within a rough time-frame comparable to current long-distance probes.

That sounds quite promising. At 1/3 the speed of light we could conceivably get a probe to Proxima Centauri B in less than two decades. Or examine any new planets in our own solar system should we find them. Now the tricky part is building a probe that 's under 5 KG.

That sounds quite promising. At 1/3 the speed of light we could conceivably get a probe to Proxima Centauri B in less than two decades. Or examine any new planets in our own solar system should we find them. Now the tricky part is building a probe that 's under 5 KG.

Why a probe under 5Kg Wally?
Not to tangent to far off the EM Drive itself but
I'm thinking enough shielding to prevent a grain of sand (in a collision) from ripping open the probe at those speeds will be considerably more than 5Kg.

The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but
progress. -- Joseph JoubertAttachment 1008

Why a probe under 5Kg Wally?
Not to tangent to far off the EM Drive itself but
I'm thinking enough shielding to prevent a grain of sand (in a collision) from ripping open the probe at those speeds will be considerably more than 5Kg.

A lighter probe would require less energy to propel, but unfortunately would also have less equipment. 5 Kg was just a rough estimate on my part, to propel a 25 Kg probe I'm guessing would require 5 times the needed energy so sending a probe weighing a ton or more like some of the others we have sent out may be too much mass to accelerate quickly.